Downie Named to AHL All-Star Squad

The American Hockey League announced today that Norfolk Admirals forward and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Steve Downie[6] will play for Team Canada at the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Charter Communications, to be played later this month at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Downie, a 5-foot-10, 192-pound native of Newmarket, Ontario, has posted six goals and 14 assists for 20 points in just 15 games for Norfolk this season. Among his notable accomplishments with the Admirals this season are a franchise-record tying four-assist game on December 13 versus Bridgeport, a hat trick on December 27 versus Philadelphia and a Norfolk season-high eight-game scoring streak from November 16 â€“ December 27 during which he registered five goals and ten assists.

Downie was acquired by the Tampa Bay Lightning from the Philadelphia Flyers along with Steve Eminger[7] on November 7 in the deal that sent Matt Carle[8] to the Flyers. Prior to the trade, he also appeared in four games with the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, recording one goal and seven assists. In 19 total AHL games this season, Downie has seven goals and 21 assists for 28 points. In 41 career AHL contests between Norfolk and Philadelphia, the second-year professional has scored 12 goals and 38 assists for 50 points.

The 21-year-old has also appeared in 14 NHL games this season between the Lightning and Flyers. He has appeared in eight games with the Lightning, scoring one goal and 16 penalty minutes. With the Flyers, Downie had 11 penalty minutes in six games. Downie has appeared in 46 career NHL games between Tampa Bay and Philadelphia, recording seven goals and 13 points. He also appeared in six games with the Flyers during the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, registering one assist and ten penalty minutes.

Downie was originally drafted by Philadelphia in the first round, 29th overall, at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

The PlanetUSA AHL All-Star team roster will be announced on Wednesday.